Episodes
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In this episode, Richard Rohlin and I continue our discussion of The Voyage of St. Brendan, focusing on some of the stranger episodes in the story. We look at encounters with sea creatures, a sea giantess, and the figure of a Hermit in paradise. Along the way, we reflect on what these images might reveal about death, resurrection, the role of the saints, and how the spiritual world connects to our own. It's a conversation that opens up layers of meaning in a text that’s easy to overlook.
Original YouTube version: https://youtu.be/2vxMu-NU6Rw
Part 1, The Voyage of St. Brendan: https://youtu.be/nlzEUV5sV2o?si=lsPwB1EmXLBIfs0w
SYMBOLISM MASTERCLASS
Join me this April for the Symbolism Masterclass, a 6-week deep dive into the essentials of symbolic thinking. Over 18 immersive hours, I'll guide you through the framework behind everything I've explored in 500+ videos—from heaven and earth to dragons, fairies, kings, conspiracies, Darwin, the Bible, and beyond.
Register now: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/symbolism-masterclass
🗓 Dates: Live classes every Wednesday at 1-4 PM Central / 2-5 PM Eastern time: 4/23, 4/30, 5/7, 5/14, 5/21, 5/28
⏰ Class Length: 3 hours each session
💰 Cost: $175 (Patrons at the Involved tier or higher qualify for 10% off)
While Richard's course on Tolkien and Universal History is over, you can still buy the course and get access to all the lecture recordings and resources here: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/tolkien-and-universal-history
Timestamps:
00:00 - Coming up
01:06 - Intro music
01:37 - Introduction
03:41 - Pascha on the back of a monster
06:29 - A whale
14:06 - The giant mermaid
22:10 - The sequence of events
26:48 - Until the Last Judgement
33:00 - Don't worry about it
40:49 - Baptism
43:42 - Garments of skin
51:34 - Confronting demonic forces
58:08 - Brendan in paradise
01:09:00 - Brendan comes to Britain
01:26:49 - The death of St Brendan
💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com
🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau
🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe
Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/
My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/ -
A few weeks ago, a study came out criticizing the use of the phrase "Christ is King"—and it stirred up a lot of strong reactions, including my own. In this video, I take you through the symbolism, history, and deeper meaning behind this expression, and I share why I believe its resurgence today is both important and complicated. I’ll also reflect on how identity naturally includes and excludes—and why that's not something we should fear.
YouTube version: https://youtu.be/_9_PWSOgK5w
The study in question: https://networkcontagion.us/reports/3-13-25-thy-name-in-vain-how-online-extremists-hijacked-christ-is-king/
SYMBOLISM MASTERCLASS
Join me this April for the Symbolism Masterclass, a 6-week deep dive into the essentials of symbolic thinking. Over 18 immersive hours, I'll guide you through the framework behind everything I've explored in 500+ videos—from heaven and earth to dragons, fairies, kings, conspiracies, Darwin, the Bible, and beyond.
Register now: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/symbolism-masterclass
🗓 Dates: Live classes every Wednesday at 1-4 PM Central / 2-5 PM Eastern time: 4/23, 4/30, 5/7, 5/14, 5/21, 5/28
⏰ Class Length: 3 hours each session
💰 Cost: $175 (Patrons at the Involved tier or higher qualify for 10% off)
Join us for the ORTHODOX ARTS FESTIVAL, learn more here: https://www.orthodoxartsfestivaldfw.com/
Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com
🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau
🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe
Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/
My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/ -
Missing episodes?
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This is a talk I did a few years ago for the Jung Society of Montreal. In it I explore the creation story in Genesis not just as myth, but as a fractal map of how identity, being, and purpose function. In breaking down the symbolism I also make a case for why intelligence isn’t an accident, why rituals matter, and why participation of intelligent beings is foundational to reality. In the Q&A section we touch on group identity, exclusion, dreams, and the meaning of the Last Judgment among other topics. I hope this lecture gives you a sense of the tone and depth of our upcoming Symbolism Masterclass. If you want to learn more, register today.
https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/symbolism-masterclass
SYMBOLISM MASTERCLASS
Join me this April for the Symbolism Masterclass, a 6-week deep dive into the essentials of symbolic thinking. Over 18 immersive hours, I'll guide you through the framework behind everything I've explored in 500+ videos—from heaven and earth to dragons, fairies, kings, conspiracies, Darwin, the Bible, and beyond.
🗓 Dates: Live classes every Wednesday at 1-4 PM Central / 2-5 PM Eastern time: 4/23, 4/30, 5/7, 5/14, 5/21, 5/28
⏰ Class Length: 3 hours each session
💰 Cost: $175 (Patrons at the Involved tier or higher qualify for 10% off)
Join us for the ORTHODOX ARTS FESTIVAL, learn more here: https://www.orthodoxartsfestivaldfw.com/
YouTube version: https://youtu.be/YArpxigY5xY?si=QrMqUuJixHQ3DnXy
Original video published by Jordan Peterson: https://youtu.be/ZQ43i5nKuZk?si=XB-bgj9VMc0NxBdT
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
02:01 - Intro music
02:26 - Observing the observer
08:06 - Ritual and a return to ancient thinking
13:58 - Ritual in groups
21:34 - The argument
27:49 - The start of Genesis
36:39 - And God said
42:06 - Vegetation
44:30 - The sun, moon, and stars
45:49 - Creatures of the sea
49:32 - Animals
51:57 - The creation of man
56:28 - Genesis 2
59:43 - The center of the world
06:42 - Iconographic examples
12:39 - Questions from JBP
18:22 - Q: Elaborate on what you mean with "above" and "below"
20:15 - Q: Are people who try to tame wild animals violating the pattern you pointed out?
21:51 - Q: How sure are you of the heaven and earth distinction?
25:36 - Q: What's the meaning of when God says man is very good and everything else good?
30:03 - Comment about Jung
31:24 - Q: How did Darwin bring Plato back?
37:03 - Q: How would you work with exclusion / inclusion patterns in these times?
48:51 - Q: What's the intelligence of dreams?
51:45 - Q: If the teleological patterns of being constitute heaven, what is the abode of the human soul?
💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com
🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau
🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe \
Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/
My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/ -
In this conversation, I sit down with Joe Allen to dig into the strange and unsettling territory where transhumanism and politics collide. We explore how politics is shaping the trajectory of technological development—and how, in turn, emerging tech like AI begins to shape us.
We talk about the deeper philosophical and spiritual undercurrents of transhumanism: the ego behind the machines, the myth of the disembodied mind, and the subtle seductions that come with promises of power and control. From AI warfare to Elon Musk, from Project Stargate to the eerie direction our culture is headed, we raise some uncomfortable but necessary questions. What happens when our tools stop serving us and begin to define us?
Get Joe Allen's book: Dark Aeon: Transhumanism and the War Against Humanity: https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Aeon-Transhumanism-Against-Humanity-ebook/dp/B0C9FJQD4V
SYMBOLISM MASTERCLASS
Join me this April for the Symbolism Masterclass, a 6-week deep dive into the essentials of symbolic thinking. Over 18 immersive hours, I'll guide you through the framework behind everything I've explored in 500+ videos—from heaven and earth to dragons, fairies, kings, conspiracies, Darwin, the Bible, and beyond.
🗓 Dates: Live classes every Wednesday at 1-4 PM Central / 2-5 PM Eastern time: 4/23, 4/30, 5/7, 5/14, 5/21, 5/28
⏰ Class Length: 3 hours each session
💰 Cost: $175
👉 Register Today: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/symbolism-masterclass
ORTHODOX ARTS FESTIVAL - Learn more here: https://www.orthodoxartsfestivaldfw.com/
🔗 Links: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau
🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe
Timestamps:
00:00 - Coming up
00:44 - Intro music
02:03 - The conservative transhumanist
09:11 - Why more than human?
14:49 - Bringing myths alive
18:41 - Revolution and an image of sin
25:47 - International competition
34:07 - As soon as a power exists
44:39 - Project StarGate
50:29 - The power of AI
Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/
My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/ -
In this conversation with Mary Harrington, we explore how identity has evolved from the ancient idea of the soul to the concept of self and today how we talk and think about identity. We dive into how technology and AI shape this shift and why bringing back the soul might help us tackle modern challenges. We argue that purpose and hierarchy clarify identity in today’s mess of competing selves. We explore how swapping deep reading for digital scrolling shifts consciousness, how memes steer thought, and the nature of AI and its affects on culture.
Original YouTube version: https://youtu.be/TJnGDEAka7I
Our conversation at ARC that prompted this: A philosophy of human identity in a digital age | Jordan Peterson, Jonathan Pageau, Mary Harrington: https://youtu.be/oa-MK6l_hgE?si=86TQRbbDCrQdqb60
SYMBOLISM MASTERCLASS
Join me this April for the Symbolism Masterclass, a 6-week deep dive into the essentials of symbolic thinking. Over 18 immersive hours, I'll guide you through the framework behind everything I've explored in 500+ videos—from heaven and earth to dragons, fairies, kings, conspiracies, Darwin, the Bible, and beyond.
🗓 Dates: Live classes every Wednesday at 1-4 PM Central / 2-5 PM Eastern time: 4/23, 4/30, 5/7, 5/14, 5/21, 5/28
⏰ Class Length: 3 hours each session
💰 Cost: $175
👉 Register Today: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/symbolism-masterclass
‼️EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT: Use code MASTERCLASS1 at checkout to get 15% off from March 31 until April 7 - only valid for once-off purchases (cannot be combined with any other discount)‼️
ORTHODOX ARTS FESTIVAL: Learn more here: https://www.orthodoxartsfestivaldfw.com/
🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau
🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe
Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/
My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/ -
In this episode I break down the meaning and symbolism in the 2022 show Severance starring Adam Scott. Let me know in the comments on YouTube if you want more content like this.
YouTube version: https://youtu.be/4RgQ0Q4pgHA
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SYMBOLISM MASTERCLASS
Join me this April for the Symbolism Masterclass, a 6-week deep dive into the essentials of symbolic thinking. Over 18 immersive hours, I'll guide you through the framework behind everything I've explored in 500+ videos—from heaven and earth to dragons, fairies, kings, conspiracies, Darwin, the Bible, and beyond.
🗓 Dates: Live classes every Wednesday at 1-4 PM Central / 2-5 PM EST: 4/23, 4/30, 5/7, 5/14, 5/21, 5/28
⏰ Class Length: 3 hours each session
💰 Cost: $175
👉 Register Today: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/symbolism-masterclass
‼️EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT: Use code MASTERCLASS1 at checkout to get 15% off from March 31 until April 7 - only valid for once-off purchases (cannot be combined with any other discount)‼️
=====
💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com
🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau
🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe
🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe
📱 SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageau
Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/
My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/ -
This is my review of Disney's recent Snow White live-action remake.
YouTube version: https://youtu.be/gk2koS8Eomg
===========
With all this attention on Snow White right now, we want to make sure that we're mostly celebrating this powerful story in our culture. So to do so, we're offering for the very last time a limited edition box set of our own Snow White story, Snow White and the Widow Queen. It's a leather bound book signed by me, in a beautifully designed and bejeweled box with a free sticker and bookmark included. This is the last time you will ever see this product, it's very special, so don't miss out while stocks last.
We're also offering 10% off on select Snow White products if you use SNOW25 at checkout. Just go to https://store.thesymbolicworld.com/?utm_source=Youtube&utm_medium=text+link&utm_campaign=SNOW25
As a classic fairy tale and timeless piece of our inheritance it's important to remember Snow White and keep celebrating it - that wonder and beauty and strangeness we find in those original tales that have been passed down to us, are exactly what our books at Symbolic World Press hope to reawaken - with of course some symbolism bread crumbs dropped in for those who want to discover the deeper meaning. So, don't miss out.
💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com
🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau
🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe
🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe
📱 SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageau
Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/
My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/ -
In this conversation I interview Peter Leithart, an American author, minister, and theologian, who serves as president of Theopolis Institute for Biblical, Liturgical, & Cultural Studies in Birmingham, Alabama. We discuss the origins, mission, and theological insights of Theopolis Institute and the influence of James B. Jordan, who wrote the influential book titled “Through New Eyes”. We further discuss the significance of biblical typology, and the transformative power of liturgy and sacraments in understanding scripture and shaping Christian life. We explore the interconnectedness of biblical narratives, the cultural shifts towards a deeper understanding of scripture, and the importance of sacramental life in recognizing Christ.
YouTuber version: https://youtu.be/Ug_ZGvfBcuE
Follow Peter Leithart: https://x.com/PLeithart
-Through New Eyes: Developing a Biblical View of the World, by James B. Jordan: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Through-New-Eyes-Developing-Biblical/dp/157910259X
-The End of Protestantism: Pursuing Unity in a Fragmented Church, by Peter J. Leithart: https://www.amazon.com/End-Protestantism-Pursuing-Fragmented-Church/dp/158743377X
-Revelation Explained: An Interpretation by James B. Jordan: Volume One: Dragon, by James B. Jordan (Author), Dean W. Arnold (Editor): https://www.amazon.com/Revelation-Explained-Interpretation-Jordan-Dragon/dp/1733335633
Timestamps:
00:00 - Coming up
00:50 - Intro music
01:15 - Introduction
02:19 - Theopolis Institute
05:28 - Initial influences
07:23 - Themes in Scripture
17:47 - Reality/history rhymes
20:33 - The Bible as a way of seeing
23:36 - Sacraments
31:53 - Creation
34:23 - How is this being received?
37:35 - Critical Biblical scholarship and references
46:15 - Fundamentalism
49:39 - Typology is the key
51:53 - Bringing it to experience
54:20 - The Fathers
01:00:56 - Hopes for the future
💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com
🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau
🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe
🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe
📱 SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageau
Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/
My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/ -
I recently had the privilege to visit Ralston College where I had a wonderful discussion with Gregg Hurwitz about meaning, art, and the future of culture. We also gave advice to the young students at Ralston College about navigating the life of an artist.
RALSTON COLLEGE: A revival and reinvention of the traditional university. A fellowship for anyone, anywhere who seeks the truth with courage.
While the review of applications for the 2025-26 year of their fully-funded Master's in the Humanities program has already begun, a small number of spaces remain for extraordinary candidates. Apply now: https://www.ralston.ac/humanities-ma
YouTube version: https://youtu.be/5Zyv3z4VT_Y
=====================
NEW COURSE: The Symbolic World Goes to Middle-Earth
Join us for an in-depth study of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Legendarium, where we'll explore his masterful use of medieval literary genres, Christian storytelling traditions, and hidden philology. This course, presented by Richard Rohlin, will guide you through Tolkien's vision for a "Mythology for England," examining his work as a complex tapestry of Universal History. Through this journey, we’ll also examine Tolkien’s use of epic poems, chronicles, and literary devices to craft a truly legendary vision of the past, present, and future. Thereafter, we'll look at how his work has inspired later authors of fantasy, shaped the genre more generally, and continues to aid our recovery of deeper, cosmological storytelling.
- Dates: Live classes are on Mondays at 1 PM Central starting March 3, 2025
- Course length: 5 weeks, 10 hours of lectures
- Cost: $150
- 10% Discount for all patrons at the Involved tier or higher, apply your discount code at checkout
- Participants will be given access to lesson recordings with downloadable audio
- You’ll also have the opportunity to apply these ideas to contemporary authors and your own mythopoeic writing!
- The course is hosted on the Symbolic World Circle Community platform. Sign up as a free member at https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/join-community before making your purchase.
Register today: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/tolkien-and-universal-history
=====================
💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com
🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau
🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe
🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe
📱 SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageau
Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/
My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/
Timestamps:
00:00 - Coming up
00:41 - Intro music
01:06 - Introduction
06:40 - What they like about each other
13:03 - Dramatizing Genesis
17:01 - On writing and being an artist
22:41 - Ralston College students
25:37 - Advice to artists
28:09 - Why are you compelled to tell stories?
33:09 - Form and function
42:32 - Looking back on your 20s, what did you do well, and what did you learn from?
49:19 - What's been your experience being public figures?
59:03 - Do you ever wish you hadn't entered the public eye?
01:04:39 - How to keep the fire going without desperation?
01:09:30 - How to navigate the political?
01:19:22 - How to choose your priorities and commitments?
01:23:11 - How to go from an idea to a larger project?
01:26:36 - Should an artist cater to an audience?
01:34:43 - What does Ralston mean to you? -
In this conversation with John Vervaeke and Christopher Mastropietro we discuss their collaborative work on the 'Awakening from the Meaning Crisis' project, exploring the dynamics of their partnership, the impact of their ideas on contemporary discourse, and the challenges of making complex concepts accessible. They delve into the importance of narrative in understanding philosophical ideas, the role of dialogical reasoning in writing, and the surprising effects of their video series on academic engagement.
Buy their book: Awakening From the Meaning Crisis: Part One: Origins: https://www.amazon.co.za/Awakening-Meaning-Crisis-Part-Origins/dp/1645011003
John Vervaeke's course on The Symbolic World: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/the-cognitive-science-of-ritual
Daily Wire Plus: The Gospels seminar: https://www.dailywire.com/show/the-gospels
=====================
NEW COURSE: The Symbolic World Goes to Middle-Earth
Join us for an in-depth study of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Legendarium, where we'll explore his masterful use of medieval literary genres, Christian storytelling traditions, and hidden philology. This course, presented by Richard Rohlin, will guide you through Tolkien's vision for a "Mythology for England," examining his work as a complex tapestry of Universal History. Through this journey, we’ll also examine Tolkien’s use of epic poems, chronicles, and literary devices to craft a truly legendary vision of the past, present, and future. Thereafter, we'll look at how his work has inspired later authors of fantasy, shaped the genre more generally, and continues to aid our recovery of deeper, cosmological storytelling.
- Dates: Live classes are on Mondays at 1 PM Central starting March 3, 2025
- Course length: 5 weeks, 10 hours of lectures
- Cost: $150
- 10% Discount for all patrons at the Involved tier or higher, apply your discount code at checkout
- Participants will be given access to lesson recordings with downloadable audio
- You’ll also have the opportunity to apply these ideas to contemporary authors and your own mythopoeic writing!
- The course is hosted on the Symbolic World Circle Community platform. Sign up as a free member at https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/join-community before making your purchase.
Register today: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/tolkien-and-universal-history
=====================
Timestamps:
00:00 - Coming up
00:39 - Intro music
01:03 - Introduction
01:42 - Working together
06:23 - Coming to terms with John's vocabulary
11:26 - Getting feedback
14:27 - Telling a story
18:36 - A dialogical process
22:25 - Change in academia
26:48 - John Vervaeke and Jordan Peterson at UofT
29:21 - Cross-disciplinary
36:01 - Cognitive science
40:14 - Making woo acceptable
45:06 - John and John teaching
52:33 - What was the Gospels seminar like for Jonathan
00:15 - John's experience
03:23 - The strangeness of Christianity
08:19 - Hope for the book's reception
💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com
🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau
🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe
🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe
📱 SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageau
Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/
My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/ -
The world is changing rapidly, and the transformation we’re witnessing—especially within the Church—has been astonishing. Across America, Orthodox churches are growing at an unprecedented rate, and cultural shifts that once seemed impossible are now unfolding before our eyes.
For this week's video, we revisit my very first public event with Jordan Peterson, at The Resurrection of Logos event, which took place at the University of Toronto in March 2017. At the time, many of the ideas we now take for granted were just beginning to emerge. It was a moment when culture seemed to be collapsing under the weight of ideology, yet seeds of renewal were being planted.
Looking back, we can see both the opportunities and the dangers that have since taken shape. On one hand, faith is more openly discussed, and the roots of Christian civilization are being rediscovered. On the other, we face the risk of faith becoming overly weaponized. The balance between these forces is more crucial than ever.
This talk, which didn’t gain much attention at the time, now serves as a fascinating snapshot of what was happening in that critical moment. Watch it with fresh eyes and see how far we’ve come.
Youtube version: https://youtu.be/hWVsvSatJsk
=====================
NEW COURSE: The Symbolic World Goes to Middle-Earth
Join us for an in-depth study of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Legendarium, where we'll explore his masterful use of medieval literary genres, Christian storytelling traditions, and hidden philology. This course, presented by Richard Rohlin, will guide you through Tolkien's vision for a "Mythology for England," examining his work as a complex tapestry of Universal History. Through this journey, we’ll also examine Tolkien’s use of epic poems, chronicles, and literary devices to craft a truly legendary vision of the past, present, and future. Thereafter, we'll look at how his work has inspired later authors of fantasy, shaped the genre more generally, and continues to aid our recovery of deeper, cosmological storytelling.
- Dates: Live classes are on Mondays at 1 PM Central starting March 3, 2025
- Course length: 5 weeks, 10 hours of lectures
- Cost: $150
- 10% Discount for all patrons at the Involved tier or higher, apply your discount code at checkout
- Participants will be given access to lesson recordings with downloadable audio
- You’ll also have the opportunity to apply these ideas to contemporary authors and your own mythopoeic writing!
- The course is hosted on the Symbolic World Circle Community platform. Sign up as a free member at https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/join-community before making your purchase.
Register today: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/tolkien-and-universal-history
=====================
💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com
🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau
🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe
🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe
📱 SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageau
Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/
My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/ -
I had a wonderful discussion with James Orr. Dr Orr is Associate Professor of Philosophy of Religion at the Faculty of Divinity at the University of Cambridge. He was also one of the panel members for the Daily Wire Plus Exodus and Gospels seminars, which we discuss in this video. We also talk about our difference approaches and perspectives on Scripture, the current cultural shift and Christianity becoming more mainstream, the risk of instrumentalizing Christianity, Paul Kingsnorth's talk "Against Christian Civilization", and more.
Watch the Gospel Seminar on Daily Wire Plus: https://www.dailywire.com/show/the-gospels
My discussion with Paul Kingsnorth, Western Civilization Is Already Dead: https://youtu.be/FrjdaVol2TA?si=D6A3mm3WXj5f2i4W
Paul Kingsnorth’s First Things talk: "Against Christian Civilization" | 2024 Erasmus Lecture: https://www.youtube.com/live/Y3hMSZqatHI
James Orr links:
- https://www.divinity.cam.ac.uk/directory/dr-james-orr
- https://x.com/jtworr
=====================
NEW COURSE: The Symbolic World Goes to Middle-Earth
Join us for an in-depth study of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Legendarium, where we'll explore his masterful use of medieval literary genres, Christian storytelling traditions, and hidden philology. This course, presented by Richard Rohlin, will guide you through Tolkien's vision for a "Mythology for England," examining his work as a complex tapestry of Universal History. Through this journey, we’ll also examine Tolkien’s use of epic poems, chronicles, and literary devices to craft a truly legendary vision of the past, present, and future. Thereafter, we'll look at how his work has inspired later authors of fantasy, shaped the genre more generally, and continues to aid our recovery of deeper, cosmological storytelling. - Dates: Live classes are on Mondays at 1 PM Central starting March 3, 2025 - Course length: 5 weeks, 10 hours of lectures - Cost: $150 - 10% Discount for all patrons at the Involved tier or higher, apply your discount code at checkout - Participants will be given access to lesson recordings with downloadable audio - You’ll also have the opportunity to apply these ideas to contemporary authors and your own mythopoeic writing! - The course is hosted on the Symbolic World Circle Community platform. Sign up as a free member at https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/join-community before making your purchase.
Register today: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/tolkien-and-universal-history =====================
Timestamps:
00:00 - Coming up
00:47 - Intro music
01:11 - Introduction
01:57 - James' reaction to The Gospels seminar
05:04 - JBP mediating the panel discussion
09:25 - Members of the panel
11:55 - Approaching Scripture from different perspectives
15:23 - James' scholarly approach vs Jonathan's analogical approach
20:37 - A time of flux
28:18 - Paul Kingsnorth's First Things address
32:44 - Instrumentalizing Christianity
38:52 - Self-sacrificial love
41:39 - Recognize weaponized compassion
43:11 - Fetishizing weakness?
48:22 - The end of the story
51:34 - Technology
54:45 - New people coming to church
💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com
🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau
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📱 SOCIAL MEDIA
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Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan
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Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/
My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/ -
This is a repost of the patron video for January 2025. Given the recent announcement about project Stargate I delved into modernity's quest for forbidden knowledge and how it relates to today's obsession with UFOs, AI, psychedelics, and even transgenderism.
YouTube version: https://youtu.be/h79SINKwmjA
===========
NEW COURSE: The Symbolic World Goes to Middle-Earth
Join us for an in-depth study of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Legendarium, where we'll explore his masterful use of medieval literary genres, Christian storytelling traditions, and hidden philology. This course, presented by Richard Rohlin, will guide you through Tolkien's vision for a "Mythology for England," examining his work as a complex tapestry of Universal History. Through this journey, we’ll also examine Tolkien’s use of epic poems, chronicles, and literary devices to craft a truly legendary vision of the past, present, and future. Thereafter, we'll look at how his work has inspired later authors of fantasy, shaped the genre more generally, and continues to aid our recovery of deeper, cosmological storytelling.
- Dates: Live classes are on Mondays at 1 PM Central starting March 3, 2025
- Course length: 5 weeks, 10 hours of lectures
- Cost: $150
- 10% Discount for all patrons at the Involved tier or higher, apply your discount code at checkout
- Participants will be given access to lesson recordings with downloadable audio
- You’ll also have the opportunity to apply these ideas to contemporary authors and your own mythopoeic writing!
- The course is hosted on the Symbolic World Circle Community platform. Sign up as a free member at https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/join-community before making your purchase.
Register today: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/tolkien-and-universal-history
===========
💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com
🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau
🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe
🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe
📱 SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageau
Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/
My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/ -
For the past few decades we have heard from the new atheists just how horrible religion is, that religion is responsible for all these terrible things like the inquisition and witch burnings - but what if I told you that there are patterns or structures behind this kind of behaviour that are simply human, and are not unique to religious people, nor to your ideological or political opponents, but exist fundamentally in all identities.
YouTube version: https://youtu.be/SQSDCcFKSrQ
==================
The Symbolic World Goes to Middle-earth! Join Richard Rohlin for his new course on Tolkien and Universal History. As always patrons at the Involved tier or higher qualify for a 10% discount. Apply your unique discount code at checkout. Read more here: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/tolkien-and-universal-history
In his famous Letter #131 to Milton Waldman, J.R.R. Tolkien described his Legendarium as an attempt to create a vast cycle of stories. These stories would be dedicated to his home country and as such this concept has often been described by Tolkien scholars as a “Mythology for England.” This course will take this concept a step further by examining the Legendarium as an attempt at a work of Universal History, one which uses both ancient and modern storytelling genres to reconcile conflicting visions of English, European, and Western identity. We will then apply those methods to contemporary storytelling efforts, revealing how Tolkien opens the way to a return to cosmological and legendary Christian storytelling tradition.
==================
💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com
🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau
🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe
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Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/
My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/ -
In this episode Richard Rohlin goes solo to give us an introduction about JRR Tolkien's vision for Universal History. Later this month he will be teaching a course on this topic.
Register now for the Tolkien and Universal History course by Richard Rohlin on The Symbolic World website: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/tolkien-and-universal-history
Cost: $150
Discount: 10% off for all Symbolic World patrons at the Involved tier or higher. Apply your unique discount code at checkout.
Live classes: February 24 - March 24, 5 weeks, 10 hours of lectures.
Lecture recordings will be made available with downloadable audio.
=====Timestamps====
01:07 - Introduction
03:36 - What makes Tolkien unique?
07:53 - Tolkien & universal history
12:28 - The Arthurian legends
22:13 - Redeeming the elves
26:45 - Redeeming the gods
27:40 - Medieval genres: Chronicles
29:35 - Poetry
31:17 - The Silmarillion
34:10 - Retelling culture-founding narratives
36:09 - The Lord of the Rings
38:44 - The novel
42:16 - Writing assignment
💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com
🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau
🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe
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Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan
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Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/
My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/ -
In this conversation, Jonathan Pageau and Annie Crawford delve into C.S. Lewis's work, particularly focusing on 'Till We Have Faces.' They explore the significance of this book in understanding Lewis's thought, its mythic elements, and the interplay between paganism and Christian themes. The discussion also touches on the evolution of Lewis's writing style, the role of myth and fairy tales, and the complex themes of mimetic desire and sacrifice present in the narrative. The symbolism of the veil is highlighted as a key element in understanding the duality of truth and deception in Lewis's work.
==========NEW SYMBOLIC WORLD COURSE==========
Join us for Annie Crawford's course on C.S. Lewis' Till We Have Faces, starting live on January 17th, 2025. Register now: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/till-we-have-faces-with-annie-crawford
💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com
🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau
🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe
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📱 SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageau
Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/
My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/
Keywords
C.S. Lewis, Till We Have Faces, myth, paganism, Christian themes, literary analysis, mimetic desire, symbolism, re-enchantment, allegory, C.S. Lewis, myth, duality, sacrifice, modernity, paganism, rationalism, consciousness, reintegration, renewal -
Fr. Stephen De Young is back on the podcast to discuss his latest book, St. Paul the Pharisee. St. Paul is at the core of many modern misunderstandings about Christianity; Fr. Stephen presents how we can understand St. Paul’s writings within the context of who he was, when he lived, and who he was addressing in his epistles, ultimately bringing us closer to the vision Christ Himself gave us.
-Buy Fr. Stephen’s book on the Ancient Faith Store - Saint Paul the Pharisee: Jewish Apostle to All Nations: https://store.ancientfaith.com/saint-paul-the-pharisee-jewish-apostle-to-all-nations/
-On Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Saint-Paul-Pharisee-Apostle-Nations/dp/1955890706
==========Book description==========
The centuries after the Protestant Reformation brought about a radical reinterpretation of the epistles of St. Paul, disconnected from any historical reality. But Paul operated, during his entire life, as a faithful Pharisee within the Roman Jewish world. In Saint Paul the Pharisee: Jewish Apostle to All Nations, Fr. Stephen De Young surveys Paul’s life and writings, interpreting them within the Holy Tradition of the Orthodox Church. This survey is followed by De Young’s interpretive translation of St. Paul’s epistles, which deliberately avoids overly familiar terminology. By using words and ideas grounded in first-century Judaism, De Young hopes to unsettle commonly held notions and help the reader reassess St. Paul in his historical context.
==========NEW SYMBOLIC WORLD COURSE==========
Join us for Annie Crawford's course on C.S. Lewis' Till We Have Faces, starting live on January 17th, 2025. Register now: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/till-we-have-faces-with-annie-crawford
==========Other links==========
Lord of Spirits podcast: https://www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/lordofspirits/
Fr. Stephen’s talk at the Symbolic World Summit 2024, Friedrich Nietzsche’s Guide to the Bodily Resurrection: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OVbxZJ463Q
Daily Wire The Gospels seminar: https://www.dailywire.com/show/the-gospels
💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com
🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau
🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe
🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe
📱 SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageau
==========Timestamps==========
00:00 - Coming up
01:13 - Intro music
01:38 - Introduction to St. Paul and Contextual Understanding
06:16 - Settling the "works vs faith" debate
13:06 - St. Paul and the Gospels: A Unified Message
15:37 - Scholasticism vs Mysticism
20:17 - The Transformation of Society through St. Paul's Vision
24:19 - Slavery and Christian Ethics in St. Paul's Writings
32:34 - The Kingdom of Heaven is already here
38:15 - Hierarchy bad
39:58 - The core of St. Paul's teachings: Faithfulness
41:34 - The Call to Individual Purpose
46:32 - The Nature of Christian Hierarchy
51:32 - St. Paul: Context and Misunderstandings
56:03 - Keeping Jewish practices
01:04:56 - The Sabbath
01:05:50 - Tradition preserves context
01:11:08 - Understanding St. Paul: A Personal Connection
Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/
My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/ -
Paul Kingsnorth gave a provocative talk for First Things' Erasmus Lecture of 2024, titled "Against Christian Civilization". In this episode, we discuss the essence of his argument, delving into the fundamental tensions between Christianity and civilization. How does faith interact with culture? What is the Biblical narrative around cities and governance? Are we misusing Christianity as a tool for cultural preservation over pursuing true spiritual transformation? Is Western Civilization as we know it even salvable at this point?
-Paul Kingsnorth’s First Things talk: "Against Christian Civilization" | 2024 Erasmus Lecture: https://www.youtube.com/live/Y3hMSZqatHI?si=bmT1rqPyEF-LvR0_
-Written article version of his talk: Against Christian Civilization, January 2025: https://www.firstthings.com/article/2025/01/against-christian-civilization
==========NEW SYMBOLIC WORLD COURSE==========
Join us for Annie Crawford's course on C.S. Lewis' Till We Have Faces, starting live on January 17th, 2025. Register now: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/till-we-have-faces-with-annie-crawford
==========TIMESTAMPS==========
00:00 - Coming up
01:31 - Intro music
01:56 - Introduction
03:02 - The essence of Paul's talk
07:13 - Civilization and Revelation
12:02 - A Christian's challenge
16:45 - The Biblical vision
31:13 - What about the rulers?
37:01 - Buildings
42:10 - Brands and idols
47:27 - The seed and the fruit
49:24 - Celebrating stories
💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com
🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau
🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe
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📱 SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageau
Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/
My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/ -
In celebration of the Feast of Theophany I discuss the role of St. John the Baptist, or St. John the Forerunner, as he's known in the Orthodox tradition. Why does Christ need a forerunner? What is he actually doing, symbolically? And how does his appearance, behavior, and death participate in the pattern that's already being set up in the Old Testament?
Original YouTube version: https://youtu.be/dvUQXKdpJy0
💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com
🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau
🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe
🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe
==========NEW SYMBOLIC WORLD COURSE==========
Join us for Annie Crawford's course on C.S. Lewis' Till We Have Faces, starting live on January 17th, 2025. If you register before Thursday, 8 pm EST, you can get 15% off with the discount code: LEWIS2025. Register now: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/till-we-have-faces-with-annie-crawford
==========TIMESTAMPS==========
00:00 - Introduction
00:32 - Intro music
00:57 - The role of St. John
04:05 - Prefigurations of St. John
04:21 - The flood of Noah
05:15 - The Tower of Babel
06:06 - The Exodus
07:55 - Elijah
09:37 - St. John in the wilderness
12:36 - The voice in the desert
13:51 - Wild
15:58 - Stability in Logos
17:55 - Elijah will return
21:49 - Taken up before the end
23:21 - Joseph in Egypt
26:16 - Conclusion
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Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/
My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson. -
For this interview I have a great discussion with organist, pianist, conductor, arranger, and recording artist Matthew Wilkinson, who also happened to put together the Symbolic World intro music. We delve into the symbolism of music, particularly focusing on Bach's organ works. The discussion also touches on the evolution of musical styles from the Baroque period to the Classical, modern and postmodern eras, the historical context of music, from the music of the spheres to modern dissonance, and how these concepts reflect broader ideas about hierarchy and opposites.
Support Matthew Wilkinson's wonderful work:
Check out his website and buy his CD: https://matthewwilkinson.net/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/24DSGAdbVt7by0JHEqTwMh?si=ZJlpdMkcSg6SfMvz7YbkFg
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@matthewwilkinson2276?si=m1gbZgTSpOALVdq5
Join us for Annie Crawford's course on C.S. Lewis' Till We Have Faces, starting live on January 17th, 2025. Learn more here: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/till-we-have-faces-with-annie-crawford
Original YouTube version: https://youtu.be/d-9FRODiDKM
Timestamps:
00:00 - Coming up
00:56 - Intro music
01:21 - Introduction
02:18 - The album on Bach
05:38 - Trinitarian symbolism
14:49 - Meaning in structure vs outside it
20:15 - The hero's journey
22:05 - Signatures
25:06 - Subject and countersubject
26:19 - The organ
29:25 - Going through the entrances
32:39 - Various subjects
35:03 - Baroque
36:37 - Counterpoint
37:21 - Duality in music
40:14 - Music of the spheres
43:54 - Hierarchy in beats
47:15 - Glenn Gould
49:19 - The dialectic
51:04 - Hierarchy in music
55:16 - Music in the modern era
01:07:45 - Postmodernism
💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com
🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau
🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe
🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe
📱 SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageau
Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/
My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson. - Show more
